County Chairman Confronts Militia, Who Turn Back
By Olikita Ekani
(Makurdi) Palpable tension is building up in Benue communities as Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) who earlier vacated the state have started returning, violating existing Peace Agreements.
Fulani Ethnic Militia, a group known across West Africa for cattle-herding and involvement in regional jihad wars, have been linked to thousands of massacres in Nigeria. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the Fulani marauders have been responsible for 50,000 deaths in Nigeria during the last four years
According to Ojotu Ojema, the federal lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the Nigerian National Assembly, in an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, more than 25,000 inhabitants have been killed, 100,000 people displaced and properties worth billions of Naira have been destroyed in Agatu County alone since the commencement of FEM terrorism on May 5, 2013.
Flabbergasted by persistent killing of locals and wanton destruction of their property by FEM, Agatu County Chairman, Hon Melvin Ejeh James upon resumption of office, on behalf of the State Government, conveyed a Peace and Security meeting, involving the leadership of the Nigerian military and tribal leaders of Fulani, Agatu, Igala and Igbira at Signature Hotel Makurdi, the State capital on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in order to find a long-lasting solution to the endless carnage.
While the meeting was proceeding, FEM were also attacking Egwuma precinct in Agatu County.
At the end of the Security and Peace meeting, it was agreed that armed Fulani herdsmen terrorizing the state should leave the state until a final agreement would be reached on whether they should return back or not.
To ensure a total peace in the state, an amnesty program has also been established by the State Government and chaired by Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala. Dugu has succeeded in convincing local Tiv Ethnic Militia hired by Fulani terrorists in the Benue North East to attack, kidnap and kill residents of Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala (also known as Sankera) as most of the local militia have dropped their arms and embraced peace.
Full compliance by all the groups involved in the two agreements was observed in November, and as there was no security breach within the period until the recent violation of the agreements by FEM as they invaded Turan Community in Kwande County of Benue State on Christmas Day, 25th December, 2024, killing 11 persons and burning down several houses
Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) have started returning to several Benue communities they earlier deserted in violation of the Peace Agreements, TruthNigeria has learned. The re-entry of the FEM has caused high tension among residents of the communities as their return is viewed as the return of another round of genocide in the state.
Communities currently witnessing influx of FEM from neighbouring Nasarawa and Kogi states include Akpeko, Ocholonya, Abugbe, Adana, Ikpele, Odejo, Olegobidu, Odugbeho, Ogwumogbo, Ejima’Gega and Ejima’Gochi in Agatu County, Ogbaji, New Nigeria, Olegijamu, Ibete, Mbayegh in Gwer-West County, Anyishi, Ayilamo and Azege in Logo County, Daudu, Ortese, Gbajimba in Guma county, all 5 precincts in Turan Community in Kwande County.
Agatu County Chairman speaks
The County Chairman of Agatu County, Hon Melvin James Ejeh in an interview with TruthNigeria, confirmed the return of FEM but said the government won’t allow them back to any community in the state until a formal agreement is reached.
“Yes, there is an influx of Fulani Ethnic Militia into Agatu from Nasarawa through Riverine communities in Gwer-West County. I had a meeting with the Commander of the military operation (Operation Whirl Stroke) in charge of Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Gwer-West County Chairman, Victor Torsar Ormin and the leadership of Miyatti Allah (the umbrella of Fulani Ethnic groups) on Monday. It was agreed again during the meeting that the Fulani Ethnic Militia disguising as herdsmen must return back to where they came from. We can’t allow them in any of our communities for now. Their absence has brought peace and security to our land and that must be sustained”.
“Few days ago, I confronted some Fulani herders with their cattle in Agatu Fadama farms. they ran away on sighting me and my entourage. Our people have returned to their various communities, we won’t allow anything that is capable of driving them away from home any longer”, Melvin said.
Olikita Ekani is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
